BURNLEY'S shattered players let their football do the talking at Gillingham last night as they came from 2-0 down to earn a deserved point.

And it was impossible not to think that the impressive comeback was inspired by a desire to do it for Sam.

Following the tragic death of assistant manager Sam Ellis's son Tim the day before the game, the players had asked manager Stan Ternent if it was possible for the game to be postponed.

The Football League ruled that the show must go on but it was a very subdued squad of players that arrived at the Priestfield Stadium shortly after 6pm yesterday evening.

No one could have blamed them if they had folded having gone two down inside 15 minutes but that is not the nature of Stan Ternent's players.

But a powerful Gareth Taylor header and Glen Little's second half penalty earned them a draw and illustrated the character and determination that runs right through the side.

Kevin Ball and Arthur Gnohere made way for Little and Dean West but the display was a credit to the whole of Stan Ternent's squad.

The manager himself was in no mood to talk about a match that went a long way to eradicating the memory of the first half surrender at Wolves two days earlier.

His thoughts, as those of his players, were with the Ellis family some 250 miles to the north.

Had he spoken he could have talked about the inspirational return to the starting line-up of Little who showed no ill effects from his recent hamstring injury.

He could have expressed displeasure at another goalkeeping error from Nik Michopoulos that gifted the home side their opening goal.

And he could, of course, have waxed lyrical about his side's undoubted spirit.

All he did do was briefly praise the players' character and emphasise the fact that "everyone's thoughts and prayers are with the Ellis family".

And that is how it had to be. It was not a night to think about points won or lost, it was a night for Ternent's opposite number Andy Hessenthaler to praise the Clarets players for how they performed in such difficult circumstances.

The fact that life goes on will be evident again tonight when the reserves take on Birmingham at Turf Moor, kick off 7pm.